A chord is simply 3 or more (particular) notes that when played together make a ‘FULL’ sound
If this full sound is played rhythmically and various chords are used in a certain sequence, a nice background sound can be created for melodies or lyrics (vocals)
Let’s play a very basic chord – the chord of C
Use your right hand
THUMB – MIDDLE FINGER – SMALL FINGER
This isn’t easy to start with but TRY TRY TRY to use these fingers
It won’t take long to get used to it
For all future fingering purposes number your fingers like this
Remember – play all three notes
TOGETHER – AT THE SAME TIME
Play it over and over until your fingers get used to the shape
Piano Chords
1950s Chord Progression
Right hand
We’re going to play a very familiar chord sequence using 4 simple chords
(Don’t worry about WHY a chord is the shape it is or why it is a ‘major’ or a ‘minor’ chord – just PLAY!.)
The 4 chords are C, A minor (written Am), F and G
Remember – play the three notes of each chord together – at the same time
Play them over and over in a repeat pattern SLOWLY
C, Am, F, G, C, Am, F, G, etc . . . (you may recognize the sequence)
These chords are in what is known as ‘ROOT’ position, with the THUMB on the note that gives the chord its name – the ROOT note.
Don’t give up if playing these chords hurts your hands. That’s normal for a beginner and won’t last forever.
And make sure you USE your 1st, 3rd and 5th fingers.
Left and Right hand
Let’s make it more interesting by adding some notes in the left hand…
RHYTHM 1 – “Left note / Right chord”
The left-hand notes are the SAME note as the first note of the ‘matching’ right-hand chord but played an octave LOWER (8 notes to the left)
Use ANY left-hand finger (for now)
If you keep repeating this pattern you should recognize the sequence.
Lots of songs use this exact rhythm and chord sequence – it is actually known as the ‘1950s Chord Progression’
Play the sequence and see if you can SING-ALONG with the following songs – you may have to change the speed you play for each song
Songs with 1950s Chord Progression
Always look on the bright side of your life – Eric Idle – Monty Python
All I have to do is dream – Boudleaux Bryant (covered by Everly Brothers)
A Teenager in Love – Doc Pomus
Beyond the Sea – Jack Lawrence / Charles Trenet (cover – Frank Sinatra)
Blue Moon – Rodgers and Hart
Earth Angel – Curtis Williams (used in the film Back to the Future)
Eternal Flame – The bangles (“close your eyes – give me your hand…”)
Happiness is a warm gun – Beatles (play very slowly)
Heart and Soul – Hoagy Carmichael & Frank Loesser 1938 (used in the film‘Big’ with Tom Hanks)
I will always love you – Dolly Parton (covered Whitney Houston)
Lollipop Lollipop O lolli lollipop – Julius Dixson (covered by Chordettes)
Lonely This Christmas – Mud (covered by Elvis)
My Boy Lollipop – Robert Spencer
Oh Donna – Ritchie Valens
Red Red Wine – Neil Diamond (the original chord progression is slightly different but the song still fits with C Am F G)
Take It On The Run – REO Speedwagon (play each chord twice)
